spangle

play

noun span·gle \ ˈspaŋ-gəl \

Definition of spangle

1 :a small plate of shining metal or plastic used for ornamentation especially on clothing

2 :a small glittering object or particle

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Examples of spangle in a Sentence

showgirls dressed in costumes with gold spangles

Recent Examples of spangle from the Web

The scrim of daytime sky gives way to a bright spangle of stars.

— richard conniff, Smithsonian, "A New Age of Discovery Is Happening Right Now in the Remote Forests of Suriname," 2 May 2017
The eruption will signal the moment two stars locked in a cosmic dance have merged, exploding into a red nova that will briefly give Cygnus an extra stellar spangle.

— nadia drake, National Geographic, "How to See a Star Explode in 2022," 6 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spangle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of spangle

Middle English spangel, diminutive of spang shiny ornament, probably from Middle Dutch spange; akin to Old English spang buckle, Middle Dutch spannen to stretch

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

spangle

verb

Definition of spangle

spangled; spangling play \ˈspaŋ-g(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

:to set or sprinkle with or as if with spangles

intransitive verb

:to glitter as if covered with spangles :sparkle

See spangle defined for English-language learners

Examples of spangle in a Sentence

in typical Las Vegas fashion, the showgirls' sequined costumes spangled gloriously

Recent Examples of spangle from the Web

Miss Rodeo America and Miss Rodeo Wyoming are all spangled up in red-white-and-blue.

— doug struck, The Christian Science Monitor, "A county fair offers pie – and a window on the rural-urban divide," 25 Aug. 2017
Is Brie Larson's Danvers being set up as a potential equal-but-opposite character for Chris Evans' star-spangled icon — or, perhaps, his replacement?

— graeme mcmillan, The Hollywood Reporter, "A '90s-Set 'Captain Marvel' Movie Opens Up Worlds of Possibilities," 22 July 2017
Last weekend, Taylor Swift skipped her annual Fourth of July party, depriving us of countless Instagrams of Ruby Rose sliding down a star-spangled waterslide.

— anna silman, The Cut, "Lorde Doesn’t Like the Term ‘Squad,’ But Says She’s Still Friends With Taylor Swift," 7 July 2017
Star-spangled in red, white, and blue, these lanterns, garlands, and more are both thematically appropriate and positively chic.

— madeleine luckel, Vogue, "Stars and Glitter Galore: How to Decorate for a Fourth of July Party," 29 June 2017
Adding both dimension and playfulness, MUAs are spangling the area around the eyes, then adding even more embellishment with glitter, sequins, and stickers.

— kelsi zimmerman, Marie Claire, "Chic or Clownish? Pom Pom Makeup Is Now a Thing," 23 May 2017
Pangkor's east coast is spangled by stilt houses in old-fashioned kampong villages, where fishing and boat-building are still the main occupations.

— joe yogerst, CNN, "Paradise found: 12 crowd-free Asia island escapes," 11 May 2017
The California spangled cat was bred in the 1980s as a sort of salute to leopards that were slaughtered in their natural environment.

— joan morris, The Mercury News, "Is a leopard stalking the streets of Walnut Creek?," 29 Mar. 2017
Short, tight, and spangled out with bright stones, Decarnin's design oeuvre is miles away from the chic propriety established by couturier Pierre Balmain in 1945, and his about-face has set the Balmain runways ablaze with fresh audacity.

— j.j. martin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Balmain's Back," 5 Feb. 2009